NSW Cracks Down on Hunter Construction Safety and Compliance

A coordinated compliance campaign by Building Commission NSW and SafeWork NSW in the Hunter Region has concluded, with regulators focusing on construction quality, worker safety and stronger support for the area’s rapidly expanding building sector.

Throughout March, officers from both agencies visited multiple residential building sites, engaged with local schools and training providers, and held community information sessions to lift standards and clarify regulatory expectations.

In preparation for the regional blitz, Building Commission NSW inspectors attended 36 construction sites, issuing 18 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) totalling $12,000. The most common breach related to unlicensed work, with 11 PINs issued to contractors undertaking work without the appropriate licence.

No formal building orders were required, with identified issues either rectified on site or in the process of being resolved. Two penalty notices were issued for unlicensed contracting and one fine for the absence of required builder’s signage.

SafeWork NSW inspectors visited 27 worksites to check that businesses were effectively controlling the risks of falls from height, falling objects and mobile plant. These inspections resulted in 57 improvement notices and five prohibition notices, underscoring the importance of comprehensive WHS management systems and task-specific Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for construction activities.

Several sites were found with inadequate site security, including gaps in perimeter fencing that could allow unauthorised entry and expose members of the public to significant hazards. Inspectors also identified sites with missing or incomplete signage for the principal contractor’s contact details, as well as sites without basic amenities such as toilets and handwashing facilities.

As part of the Hunter visit, Building Commission NSW staff attended local high schools for the first time, speaking with students at Rutherford Technology High School and Hunter Trade College. Around 105 students heard directly from regulators about industry career pathways, licensing obligations and the importance of safe, compliant building practices.

The NSW Building Commissioner and staff also visited TAFE NSW Maitland, engaging with approximately 100 students currently undertaking trade training. Discussions focused on real-world expectations on site, including adherence to WHS policies, procedures and quality standards from the outset of their careers.

Community pop-up sessions at Charlestown Square provided a free and accessible forum for residents to raise building-related concerns, learn about their rights and obligations, and better understand how the regulator can assist in resolving quality and safety issues.

For builders and contractors, the operation reinforces the need for structured WHS management systems, clear SWMS for high-risk construction work, and robust policies and procedures to manage hazards such as working at heights, mobile plant and psychosocial risks. Resources to support compliant WHS documentation are available through specialist providers such as pre-developed SWMS templates and integrated WHS management systems.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley emphasised that the region is central to the state’s construction activity and that cutting corners on safety or quality is unacceptable. She highlighted that the roadshow was designed not only to enforce the rules but also to work directly with builders, apprentices and training organisations to build a strong, skilled and compliant local workforce.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis stressed that too many businesses are still failing to meet WHS requirements, particularly when it comes to work at height. She noted that a fall from as little as two metres can result in serious injury or death, and confirmed the Government’s zero-tolerance approach to practices that put workers’ lives at risk. SafeWork inspectors can issue on-the-spot fines and stop work where serious breaches are identified.

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong welcomed the Hunter community’s engagement with Building Commission NSW, stating that the regulator’s work since its establishment in 2023 is helping to build consumer confidence across the state. With more than 700 active construction sites and an estimated 17,000 licence holders in the region, he said now is a critical time to support practitioners to meet their obligations.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan underlined the value of connecting TAFE students with regulators early in their careers, so they understand from day one the standards, WHS responsibilities and licensing requirements expected on site as demand for skilled trades continues to grow.

NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard noted that while overall inspection results were generally positive, the volume of unlicensed work remains a concern and will be a focus of future enforcement activity across the state.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said that although many businesses are improving their worksite safety performance, there are still clear gaps that must be addressed. She pointed to the need for safer work at heights, secure fencing, covered pits, well-maintained scaffolding and properly secured plant and equipment at the end of each shift, reiterating that there is no justification for unsafe practices on construction sites.

More detailed information on managing the risks associated with working at heights, mobile plant and psychosocial hazards is available from the SafeWork NSW website. Construction businesses are encouraged to regularly review their WHS management systems, SWMS and on-site procedures to ensure ongoing compliance and to protect both workers and the community.